illux by Leo CardiniPARTY/Borgo Ognissanti Bash May 23, 11am–10pmAll along Borgo Ognissanti More info
Borgo Ognissanti is hosting a block party! From bakeries and boutiques to galleries and ethnic eateries, the street offers something for everyone. The 8-euro ticket buys tastes of five specialties from neighborhood shops, including food, wine and gelato. Children under 6 eat free. The party includes special hours, 9.30am to noon, for visiting the Ghirlandaio Last Supper fresco at the Ognissanti church; funds will be collected to restore a stone low relief of the Madonna, which fell from the nearby San Giovanni di Dio building on April 17. There will also be guided tours of other cultural landmarks and curiosities. For more information, visit the Facebook event above.
FIT & FUN/The Color Run May 23, 4pm Cascine Park, Florence More info Globally branded the ‘happiest 5k on the planet,’ the Color Run is coming to Florence! During the non-competitive 5K, sideline cheerleaders douse participants with colorful powders. The goal is to make the splashiest rather than the speediest finish. Event sponsor Compass is offering a last-minute chance to register. Not up for going the distance? You still won’t want to miss the kaleidoscopic chaos in the Cascine Park: the route begins on viale del Galoppatoio dei Barberi and winds its way back to the Le Mulina racetrack. For more details, see the website.
art by CLET
JAVA/Pausa Caffè Until May 22 Piazza della Repubblica More info
Get your espresso fix in piazza della Repubblica! Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just appreciate a piping hot pick-me-up, Pausa Caffè festival offers the perfect excuse to take a well-deserved break from the daily ‘grind’ (get it?). Watch baristas battle it out in cappuccino art competitions or participate in workshops to hone your coffee-making craft. For details, visit the website.
AMERICANA/Dylan Days
May 24–31Various venues in Florence and TuscanyMore info
Cultural association CONTEMPORARY is organizing the fourth edition of Bob Dylan’s Week, a series of concerts, exhibitions, discussions and more dedicated to Dylan and other American music giants. Bands and solo artists from the US, Italy, Australia and beyond will perform at a variety of venues around town. Highlights will include the musical comedy Bob Dylan’s Dream and a concert in piazzale Michelangelo (May 25, 6.30pm). Die-hard Dylanites can make day trips to some out-of-town events in Pistoia, Siena, Vinci and San Gimignano. For the full program, see the Facebook page.
DESIGN/Florence Design Week May 27–31 Various venues in Florence More info
May just might be the most creative month of the year in Florence: the sixth edition of Florence Design Week kicks off on the 27. Tying in with Expo 2015, this year’s theme is Creative Cities, with a focus on sustainability, smart cities and eco-luxury. Don’t miss From Sea to Shining Sea, a unique exhibition on ocean conservation at the Biblioteca Nazionale, and stop by the studios and shops of many members in the Creative People in Florence community. For more information and the full program, see the website.
